b'NATIONAL CENSUSMAKING SENSE OFPart II of an article on the national THE CENSUS:By Vincent Vella censuslooking EDUCATION at the data from an education perspectiveT he Canadian censusthe Indigenous population. Overall,This remaining disparity, linked provides an in-depth look74 per cent of Indigenous peopleto lack of access, points to a at the demographics, socio- ages 25 to 64 had completed highpersistent deficiency in educational economic metrics, and educationalschool, compared to 89 per centoptions for many high school-level progress of the countrys residentsof the non-Indigenous population,Indigenous students, with many every five years. This data is but there is a great disparityforced to leave their communities invaluable in understandingremaining in the completion rate ofto attain high school-level educa-population growth, educationalon-reserve (55 per cent) versus thetion. The lower attainment figure attainment, and housing across off-reserve Indigenous populationfor on-reserve students reflects the the country, especially for(78 per cent). 1 continued lack of infrastructure for Indigenous populations. education in local communities.Breaking this down further, we can While Part I of this article (insee the numbers by group: the November 2022 editionPOST-SECONDARY of Indspiration) presented theFirst Nations: Increased theirWhile high school-level education population data of First Nations,high school completion rates byis still found lacking in comparison Mtis and Inuit peoples, the5.5 per cent over 2016 and hadto the rest of Canada, there was a second part of this analysis ona total attainment rate of 70 pernoticeable upward trajectory with education gauges the currentcent in 2021. higher education attainment. The state of Indigenous education andcensus reported that nearly 13 per illuminates changes from 2016 toMtis: Increased their highcent of working-age Indigenous 2021. It also provides a windowschool completion rates by 4.6people in Canada possessed into the challenges and potentialper cent over 2016 and gaineduniversity degrees by 2021. This future trajectories of Indigenousa total attainment rate of 82 perwas a significant increase from the education in Canada. cent in 2021. 10.9 per cent in 2016 2 . Overall, half Inuit: Increased their highof the Indigenous population has HIGH SCHOOL school completion rates by 4.7a post-secondary degree, with the According to the 2021 Census,per cent over 2016 and gainedon-reserve population reaching there has been a noteworthya total attainment rate of 50 per32 per cent attainment while the growth in education levels amongcent in 2021.off-reserve population sat much higher at 52 per cent, compared to the non-Indigenous population rate of 68 per cent. 3Lets break these numbers downby grouping to better understand Indigenous students are an important part ofthe numbers:Southeast College and its programs. From Adult Basic Education to full and part time post secondary programs, Indigenous students make up1https://environicsanalytics.com/en-ca/resources/blogs/about 14% of the student body at Southeast College.ea-blog/2022/11/30/census-2021-rising-education-levels-and-labour-force-activity-changesStudent Advisors are strategically spread throughout2https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/221130/the region to ensure timely and efficient access todq221130a-eng.htminformation and support. 3https://environicsanalytics.com/en-ca/resources/blogs/Learn more at www.southeastcollege.org ea-blog/2022/11/30/census-2021-rising-education-levels-and-labour-force-activity-changes50indspiration2023'